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I currently have DISH w/625 DVR in one room and 311 receiver in the next, both on SD sets. I'm tired of paying monthly $21 ($7 each for DVR, 2nd receiver and 'Protection Plan') so I called DISH to switch to a single DUO receiver for both rooms.

Though there is a cable in the second room connected to the non-DVR receiver, they say that the change will require a $200 service call. They also want "a one-time only charge" of $50 for a new smart card!

Does this sound reasonable? I'm not a techincal person, but as there is already a DISH cable in the second room it seems that I should be able to use it to connect the TV there to the DUO receiver? Shouldn't I be able to use one of my current smart cards?

Hi... We would need to know more about your setup to be sure... There are configurations that might support what you have now, but would require upgrading the dish/lnb on the roof, adding a switch, or re-cabling the home. I can't say what your specific config might require without knowing more about what you have on the roof or outside to support your current receivers.

Smart cards are tied to specific receivers... so you can't pull one and use on a different receiver... but I am a little confused as to why you would need to buy a new smart card if you are getting a different receiver from Dish that should come with one anyway.

I currently have DISH w/625 DVR in one room and 311 receiver in the next, both on SD sets. I'm tired of paying monthly $21 ($7 each for DVR, 2nd receiver and 'Protection Plan') so I called DISH to switch to a single DUO receiver for both rooms.

Though there is a cable in the second room connected to the non-DVR receiver, they say that the change will require a $200 service call. They also want "a one-time only charge" of $50 for a new smart card!

Does this sound reasonable? I'm not a techincal person, but as there is already a DISH cable in the second room it seems that I should be able to use it to connect the TV there to the DUO receiver? Shouldn't I be able to use one of my current smart cards?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

/dig

calbear80, You may have read/heard that Ole' Charlie wants to buy Sprint or whoever for 25.6 billion. If he gets $200.00 and additional $50.00 from you and 10 million more he can buy who he wants. Now, back to your questions. Don't play with D/N. Just log on to ebay and see what's available on Dish Network 311 receivers. Be sure the seller replies that the 311 is up to date with a Purple smart card and free of any debt.. Plus it isn't a lease unit. When you get the 311, remove the 625 and replace with 311. There shouldn't be any other coax cable to add. Call Dish and have them to remove the 625 from your account and add the 311. They will need the CAID number and smart card number. If the 625 is a lease unit, have Dish to send you a shipping carton to return the receiver. You monthly bill will be $10.00 less.

I currently have DISH w/625 DVR in one room and 311 receiver in the next, both on SD sets. I'm tired of paying monthly $21 ($7 each for DVR, 2nd receiver and 'Protection Plan') so I called DISH to switch to a single DUO receiver for both rooms.

Though there is a cable in the second room connected to the non-DVR receiver, they say that the change will require a $200 service call. They also want "a one-time only charge" of $50 for a new smart card!

Does this sound reasonable? I'm not a techincal person, but as there is already a DISH cable in the second room it seems that I should be able to use it to connect the TV there to the DUO receiver? Shouldn't I be able to use one of my current smart cards?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

/dig

calbear80 we do value you as a customer and to get a better idea of the cost and all available options for you, would you PM me w/ the phone number on the account?

It should be possible to run the TV2 output from the 625 to the other TV - it's just a matter of how the coax in the house is wired to determine how difficult it will be.If all cables are in the attic, this is pretty simple to do. Add some diplexers in the right places and maybe cut some cables / add some cable ends and you're done.